Billy Joel performed his first concert at Madison Square Garden in 1978. That debut began one of the strongest artist-and-venue relationships in modern concert history, with Joel eventually returning to the New York arena for well over 100 performances.
Madison Square Garden is especially significant for Joel because he was born in the Bronx and built his career in the New York area. The arena became a recurring home for his concerts, allowing generations of local fans to see him perform there repeatedly rather than treating the venue as a one-time milestone.
The year is sometimes confused with 1977 or 1980 because Joel's major commercial rise unfolded across that period. His 1977 album The Stranger established him as a major star, while 1978 brought 52nd Street and his first Madison Square Garden concert. The question asks specifically about his first performance at the arena, not his first major New York show.